KR20050004092A - Display panel driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for driving a display panel is provided to form good image display by controlling dither patterns. CONSTITUTION: A display panel includes a plurality of display lines where a plurality of pixel cells are arranged. A display period of 1 field of an image signal is divided into a plurality of sub-fields. The method performs gray level driving of the display panel according to pixel data from the image signal. According to the method, one of sub-fields is divided into M lower sub-fields. Display lines of M groups are formed by using M display lines from the plurality of display lines of the display panel. M address steps setting pixel cells belonging to the display line of the display line group with a driving mode determined by the pixel data are performed in sequence. The first radiation step is performed. Another one of the plurality of sub-fields is divided into N lower sub-fields. N address step groups are formed from M address steps, and each address step group includes more than one address step, and at least one of N address step groups includes a plurality of address steps. N address step groups are performed in sequence in the N lower sub-fields. And the second radiation step is performed.

Description

Display panel driving method {DISPLAY PANEL DRIVING METHOD}

The present invention relates to a driving method for a display panel in which pixel cells used as pixels are disposed on respective display lines.

Recently, when a two-dimensional image display panel is considered, a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as 'PDP') in which a plurality of discharge cells are arranged in a matrix form has been attracting attention. The subfield method is known as a driving method for displaying an image corresponding to a video input signal of a PDP. The subfield method is known as a driving method for displaying an image corresponding to a video input signal on a PDP. The subfield method divides one field display period into a plurality of subfields and causes the discharge cells to selectively discharge light in each subfield according to the luminance level displayed by the video input signal. Thus, the total light emission period within a single field period is visible (or recognized).

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a light emission drive sequence based on the subfield method. Such a light emission drive sequence is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-227778.

The light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 1 divides one field period into 14 subfields, that is, subfields SF1 to SF14. All discharge cells of the PDP are initialized to the lit mode only in the first subfield SF1 of the subfields SF1 to SF14 (Rc). Each of the subfields SF1 to SF14 sets a part of the discharge cells to the extinguished mode according to the image input signal Wc so that only the discharge cells in the lit mode discharge light over a period allocated to the associated subfield. (Ic).

2 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a light emission drive pattern in one field period of each discharge cell driven based on a light emission drive sequence (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2277785).

According to the light emission pattern shown in Fig. 2, the discharge cells initialized in the lit mode of the leading subfield SF1 are set to the unlit mode in one particular subfield of the subfields SF1 to SF14, as indicated by the black circle. do. Once the discharge cell is set to the unlit mode, the discharge cell does not return to the lit mode until the end of the one field period. Therefore, during the period until the discharge cell is set to the extinguished mode as indicated by the white circle, the discharge cell continuously discharges light in the subfield. Each of the fifteen different light emission patterns shown in FIG. 2 has different total light emission periods within one field period, and fifteen different intermediate luminances appear. That is, it is possible to display the intermediate luminance with respect to the (N + 1) gradation (N is the number of subfields).

However, the driving method is limited in the number of subfields, and therefore the number of gradations is insufficient. To compensate for the lack of the gradation number, multi-gradation processing such as error diffusion and dither processing is performed on the image input signal.

Error diffusion processing, for example, converts an image input signal into 8-bit pixel data for each pixel. The upper six bits of the pixel data are regarded as display data and the remaining lower two bits of the pixel data are regarded as error data. Thereafter, the error data of the pixel data is weighted and added based on each of the peripheral pixels, and the result is reflected in the display data. As a result of this operation, a pseudo representation of the luminance of the lower two bits of the original pixel is provided by the peripheral pixel, and as a result, the expression of luminance gradation of 8 bits of the pixel data becomes possible by 6 bits of the display data. Dither processing is performed on the 6-bit error diffusion processed pixel data obtained by the error diffusion processing. In the dither processing, one pixel unit is generated from a plurality of adjacent pixels, and dither coefficients constituting different coefficient values are allocated and added to the error diffusion processed pixel data corresponding to each pixel in the one pixel unit. As a result of the addition of the dither coefficients, in units of one pixel, the luminance of the original data of 8 bits can be represented by only the upper 4 bits of the dither-added pixel data. Thus, the upper four bits of the dither-added pixel data are extracted and assigned to each of the fifteen different light emission patterns shown in FIG. 2 as multi-gradation pixel data PDs.

However, when the dither coefficient addition is regularly performed on the pixel data by dither processing or the like, a pseudo pattern completely independent of the video input signal, that is, a so-called dither pattern is often observed, which impairs the quality of the displayed image.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display panel driving method capable of forming a good image display in which a dither pattern is suppressed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved method of gradation driving a display panel according to pixel data derived from an image signal. The display panel includes a plurality of display lines in which a plurality of pixel cells used as pixels are disposed in each. The display period of one field of the video signal is divided into a plurality of subfields. The method includes dividing one of the subfields into M lower subfields. M is an integer greater than one. The M group of display lines is prepared by sequentially selecting every M display lines from the display lines. The first to Mth address steps are executed in the M lower subfields respectively and sequentially. Each address step sets the pixel cells belonging to the display lines of the associated display line group to the driving mode determined by the pixel data. The first light emission step is performed so that the pixel cell whose drive mode is the lighting mode emits light directly before or after the associated address step. The other subfield is divided into N lower subfields. N is less than M. N groups of address steps are prepared from the first to the Mth address steps. Each address step group includes one or more address steps, and at least one address step group includes a plurality of address steps. The N address step groups are executed in the N lower subfields respectively and sequentially. The second light emitting step is executed so that the pixel cell whose driving mode is the lighting mode emits light directly before or after the associated address step.

These and other objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and claims when read and understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 shows an example of a light emission driving sequence based on a subfield method.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a light emission drive pattern in a single field period of each discharge cell driven based on the light emission drive sequence shown in FIG.

3 schematically shows a configuration of a plasma display device having a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A-4H illustrate the assignment of line dither offset values for first to eighth fields, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a data conversion table used by the drive data conversion circuit shown in FIG.

6A to 6H show light emission driving sequences in the first to eighth fields, respectively.

Fig. 7 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A.

Fig. 8 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6B.

Fig. 9 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6C.

Fig. 10 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6D.

Fig. 11 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6E.

Fig. 12 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6F.

Fig. 13 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6G.

Fig. 14 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6H.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing luminance levels of first to fifth grayscale driving, respectively, for each display line.

Fig. 16 shows line dither processing when '010100' pixel data is supplied.

Fig. 17 shows the cyclic shift of the line dither weights for each display line and each field.

18A-18H illustrate light emission drive sequences in each of the first through eighth fields, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 19 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A.

Fig. 20 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18B.

Fig. 21 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18C.

Fig. 22 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18D.

Fig. 23 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18E.

Fig. 24 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18F.

Fig. 25 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18G.

Fig. 26 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18H.

Fig. 27 shows luminance levels in first to fifth grayscale driving for each display line.

Figure 28 shows light emission drive sequence in the first field according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence shown in FIG.

30A to 30E show various examples of division of predetermined subfields, respectively.

Description of the driving apparatus for driving the plasma display panel PDP based on the driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with reference to FIGS.

The PDP 100 includes a front substrate (not shown) that functions as a display surface and a rear substrate (not shown) disposed at a position opposite the front substrate. The discharge space filled with the discharge gas is defined between the front substrate and the rear substrate. The belt row electrodes X ₁ to X _n and the row electrodes Y ₁ to Y _n are selectively disposed in parallel with each other and provided to the front substrate. Belt-shaped row electrodes D ₁ to D _m disposed to intersect the row electrodes are provided on the rear substrate. The row electrodes X1 to Xn and the row electrodes Y1 to Yn are disposed such that the first to nth display lines of the PDP 100 are defined by n pairs of row electrodes X _i and Y _i . The discharge cells G used as pixels are formed at intersections (including discharge spaces) between the row electrode pairs and the column electrodes. That is, the (nxm) discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m)} are formed in a matrix on the PDP 100.

The pixel data conversion circuit 1 converts, for example, an image input signal into 6-bit pixel data PD for each pixel, and then supplies the pixel data PD to the multi-gradation processing circuit 20. . The multi-gradation processing circuit 2 includes a line dither offset value generating circuit 21, an adder 22 and a lower bit cutting circuit 23.

The line dither offset generation circuit 21 first generates eight line dither offset values LD having values of '0' to '7' to match the eight display line groups of the PDP 100. The first through nth display lines of the PDP 100 are divided into eight lines and grouped as follows:

An (8N-7) th display line consisting of the first, ninth, 17th, ..., and (n-7) th display lines;

An (8N-6) th display line consisting of the second, tenth, 18th, ..., and (n-6) th display lines;

(8N-5) th display line consisting of the 3rd, 11th, 19th, ..., and (n-5) th display lines;

(8N-4) th display line consisting of the 4th, 12th, 20th, ..., and (n-4) th display lines;

(8N-3) th display line consisting of the 5th, 13th, 21st, ..., and (n-3) th display lines;

(8N-2) th display line consisting of the 6th, 14th, 22nd, ..., and (n-2) th display lines;

(8N-1) th display line consisting of the 7th, 15th, 23rd, ..., and (n-1) th display lines; And

(8N) th display line consisting of the 8th, 16th, 24th, ..., and nth display lines.

Here, N is a natural number of (1/8) * n or less.

The line dither offset value generation circuit 21 has eight fields for each field and forming one cycle, and the line dither offset value LD to the display line group as shown in Figs. 4A to 4H. Repeat the change repeatedly.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4A, the line dither offset generation circuit 21 assigns the following line dither offset values LD to eight display line groups in the first field:

'0' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'5' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4B, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned to the second field:

'4' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'1' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4C, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the third field:

'2' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'7' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4D, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the fourth field:

'6' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'3' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4E, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the fifth field:

'1' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'6' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4F, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the sixth field:

'5' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-1) th display line group; And

'2' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4G, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the seventh field:

'3' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'7' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-1) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N) th display line group.

As shown in Fig. 4H, a line dither offset value LD having the following value is assigned in the eighth field:

'7' for the (8N-7) th display line group;

'2' for the (8N-6) th display line group;

'5' for the (8N-5) th display line group;

'0' for the (8N-4) th display line group;

'3' for the (8N-3) th display line group;

'6' for the (8N-2) th display line group;

'1' for the (8N-1) th display line group;

'4' for the (8N) th display line group.

The line dither offset value generation circuit 21 adds the line dither offset value LD allocated to the display line belonging to the discharge cell corresponding to the pixel data PD supplied by the pixel data conversion circuit 1. To provide.

The adder 22 adds the line offset addition pixel data LF prepared by adding the line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD supplied by the pixel data conversion circuit 1. To provide. The lower bit truncation circuit 23 truncates the lower three bits of the line offset addition pixel data LF, and then uses the remaining upper three bits of the data LF as the multi-gradation pixel data MD. Supply to 3).

The drive data conversion circuit 3 converts the multi-gradation pixel data MD into 4-bit pixel drive data GD according to the data conversion table shown in Fig. 5, and converts the 4-bit pixel drive data GD into a memory ( 4) to supply.

The memory 4 sequentially takes in and stores 4-bit pixel drive data GD. Each time the memory 4 finishes writing one image frame (n rows xm columns) of the pixel drive data GD _1,1 to GD _{n, m} , the memory 4 stores the pixel drive data GD _{1, 1} to GD _{n, m} are divided into bit digits (0 th to 3 th bits) and read out by one display line of the data at a time corresponding to each of the subfields SF0 to SF3. The memory 4 supplies m pixel driving data bits corresponding to one display line to the column electrode driving circuit 5 as the pixel driving data bits DB1 to DBm.

That is, in the subfield SF0, the memory 4 reads only each 0th bit of the pixel driving data GD _1,1 to GD _{n, m} one display line at a time, and reads each 0th bit. The pixel driving data bits DB1 to DBm are supplied to the column electrode driving circuit 5. In the next subfield (i.e., subfield SF1), the memory 4 reads out only the first bit of each of the pixel driving data GD _1,1 to GD _{n, m by} one display line at a time and the first The bit is supplied to the column electrode driving circuit 5 as the pixel driving data bits DB1 to DBm. Next, in the subfield SF2, the memory 4 reads out only the second bit of each of the pixel drive data GD _1,1 to GD _{n, m by} one display line at a time and reads the second bit into the pixel drive data. The bits are supplied to the column electrode driving circuit 5 as the bits DB1 to DBm. Next, in the subfield SF3, the memory 4 reads out only the third bit of each of the pixel drive data GD _1,1 to GD _{n, m by} one display line at a time and writes the third bit into the pixel drive data. The bits are supplied to the column electrode driving circuit 5 as the bits DB1 to DBm.

The drive control circuit 6 generates various timing signals for grayscale driving the PDP 100 according to the light emission drive sequence shown in the following figure:

First subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A;

Second subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6B;

Third subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6C;

Fourth subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6D;

Fifth subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6E;

Sixth subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6F;

Seventh subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6G;

Eighth subfield: the drive sequence shown in Fig. 6H;

The drive control circuit 6 supplies this timing signal to each of the column electrode drive circuit 5, the row electrode Y drive circuit 7, and the row electrode X drive circuit 8. The series of driving shown in Figs. 6A to 6H is repeatedly executed.

The column electrode driving circuit 5, the row electrode Y driving circuit 7 and the row electrode X driving circuit 8 are described in accordance with the timing signals supplied by the driving control circuit 6 as described below. Several driving pulses (not shown) are generated to drive the PDP 100, and the driving pulses are generated by the column electrodes D ₁ to D _m , the row electrodes X ₁ to X _n , and the row of the PDP 100. It is applied to the electrodes Y ₁ to Y _n , respectively.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Figs. 6A to 6H, each field of the video input signal is composed of five subfields SF0 to SF4.

The head subfield SF0 sequentially executes the reset step R and the address step W0. The reset step R causes all of the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m} ) of the PDP 100 to perform reset discharge at the same time so that the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n , m)} ) is initialized to the lighting mode (a state where a small amount of wall charge is formed). In the address step W0, the discharge cells G arranged on the first to nth display lines of the PDP 100 sequentially display one display line at a time to the pixel drive data GD as shown in FIG. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed, so that the selected discharge cell is turned off (the state where the wall charge is erased). The discharge cells in which erase discharge is not induced in the address step W0 remain in the state until immediately before the address step W0, that is, in the lit mode.

Each of the subfields SF1 to SF3 is divided into _eight subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ . The address steps W1 to W8 are executed in the respective subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ .

In the address step W1, the (8N-7) th display lines (ie, the first, ninth, and seventeenth) of all the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m} ) of the PDP 100. , Only the discharge cells arranged on the (n-7) th display lines) selectively perform erasure discharge in accordance with the pixel drive data. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erase discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge does not occur maintain the state until immediately before the address step W1. That is, the address step W1 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W2, the (8N-7) th display line (ie, the second, tenth, and eighteenth) of all the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m} ) of the PDP 100. , Only the discharge cells arranged on the (n-6) th display lines) selectively perform erasure discharge in accordance with the pixel drive data. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge does not occur remain until just before the address step W2. That is, the address step W2 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W3, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display lines (that is, the third, eleventh, 19th, ..., and (n-5) th display lines) are pixel drive data. Erase discharge selectively. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W3. That is, the address step W3 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W4, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines (i.e., the 4th, 12th, 20th, ..., and (n-4) th display lines) drive the pixel. The erase discharge is selectively performed in accordance with the data. As a result, only the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has not occurred remain until the state just before the address step W4. That is, the address step W4 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W5, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines (i.e., the fifth, thirteenth, twenty-first, ..., and (n-3) th display lines) drive the pixel. The erase discharge is selectively performed in accordance with the data. As a result, only the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W5. That is, the address step W5 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W6, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines (ie, the 6th, 14th, 22nd, ..., and (n-2) th display lines) drive the pixel. The erase discharge is selectively performed in accordance with the data. As a result, only the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W6. That is, the address step W6 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W7, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines (that is, the seventh, fifteenth, 23rd, ..., and (n-1) th display lines) drive the pixel. The erase discharge is selectively performed in accordance with the data. As a result, only the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W7. That is, the address step W7 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W8, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines (that is, the eighth, sixteenth, 24th, ..., and nth display lines) are selectively erased in accordance with the pixel drive data. Discharged. As a result, only the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has occurred are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W8. That is, the address step W8 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A, the following address steps are executed in a subfield:

An address step W6 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

An address step W3 in each of the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ ;

An address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ ;

The address step W5 in the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ respectively;

An address step W2 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

An address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ respectively; And

Address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence of Fig. 6B, the following address step is executed in a subfield:

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ respectively;

The address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ respectively;

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ ;

The address step W6 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

The address step W3 in the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ respectively;

An address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ ; And

The address step W5 in the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ , respectively.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6C, the following address steps are executed in a subfield:

The address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

The address step W5 in the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ respectively;

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ respectively;

An address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ respectively;

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ ;

The address step W6 in the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ respectively; And

Address step W3 in each of the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6D, the following address steps are executed in a subfield:

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ respectively;

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ ;

The address step W6 in the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ respectively;

The address step W3 in the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ respectively;

An address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

An address step W5 in each of the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ ;

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ respectively; And

The address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6E, the following address steps are executed in a subfield:

An address step W3 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

An address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ ;

The address step W5 in each of the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ ;

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ respectively;

An address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ respectively;

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ ; And

The address step W6 in each of the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6F, the following address steps are executed in a subfield:

An address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ respectively;

The address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ ;

The address step W6 in the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ respectively;

The address step W3 in the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ respectively;

The address step W8 in the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ respectively;

The address step W5 in the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ respectively; And

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ , respectively.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6G, the following address step is executed in a subfield:

An address step W5 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ respectively;

An address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ respectively;

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

An address step W6 in each of the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ ;

The address step W3 in the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ respectively; And

The address step W8 in the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ , respectively.

Further, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6H, the following address step is executed in the subfield:

An address step W1 in each of the subfields SF1 ₁ , SF2 ₁ , SF3 ₁ ;

An address step W6 in each of the subfields SF1 ₂ , SF2 ₂ , SF3 ₂ ;

The address step W3 in the subfields SF1 ₃ , SF2 ₃ , SF3 ₃ respectively;

An address step W8 in each of the subfields SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₄ , SF3 ₄ ;

An address step W5 in each of the subfields SF1 ₅ , SF2 ₅ , SF3 ₅ ;

The address step W2 in the subfields SF1 ₆ , SF2 ₆ , SF3 ₆ respectively;

The address step W7 in each of the subfields SF1 ₇ , SF2 ₇ , SF3 ₇ ; And

The address step W4 in the subfields SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₈ , respectively.

In each of the subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 _8, and SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ ,

Immediately before each address step W1 to W8, a sustain step I is performed in which only the discharge cells set to the lit mode continuously emit light over the period '1'.

In the last subfield SF4, a sustain step I is performed in which only the discharge cells set to the lighting mode continuously emit light over the period '1'.

The drive control circuit 6 performs light emission drive as shown in Figs. 7 to 14 in accordance with the light emission drive sequence shown in Figs. 6A to 6H.

Fig. 7 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 8 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6B.

Fig. 9 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6C.

Fig. 10 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6D.

Fig. 11 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6E;

Fig. 12 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6F.

Fig. 13 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6G.

Fig. 14 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6H;

When '1000' pixel drive data indicating the lowest luminance is supplied, light emission display based on the first gradation driving is executed. Since the zeroth bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, an erasure discharge (indicated by a black circle) occurs in the discharge cell at the address step W0 of the subfield SF0, and the discharge cell is turned off. Mode. According to the driving schemes shown in Figs. 6A to 6H, in the single field display period, the opportunity for the transition of the discharge cells from the unlit mode to the lit mode occurs only in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0. Therefore, the discharge cells in the unlit mode remain unlit through one field display period.

In other words, in the first gradation driving according to the '1000' pixel driving data GD, each discharge cell remains off through the one field display period, and thus the luminance level (brightness as shown in Fig. 15) is maintained. Level) to achieve zero.

When '0100' pixel drive data GD indicating luminance one level higher than the luminance of the '1000' pixel drive data is supplied, light emission display based on the second grayscale driving is performed. Since the first bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, the erasure discharge (indicated by the double source) occurs in the discharge cells in the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF1. Since the discharge cells are initialized in the lighting mode in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0, the sustain discharge light emission is continuously performed in the sustain step I existing until the erasure discharge occurs. For example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A, the address step is executed as follows:

The address step W6, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-7) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The address step W3 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-6) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The address step W8, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-5) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The address step W5, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-4) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The address step W2, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-3) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF1 ₅ ;

The address step W7, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-2) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF1 ₆ ;

The address step W4 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-1) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF1 ₇ ; And

The address step W1 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF1 ₈ .

Thus, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. 7, the discharge cell continuously sustains discharge in the sustain step I of the following subfield:

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ for the (8N-7) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₅ for the (8N-6) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₂ for the (8N-5) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₇ for the (8N-4) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ for the (8N-3) th display line;

Subfield SF1 ₁ for the (8N-2) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₆ for the (8N-1) th display line; And

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₃ for the (8N) th display line.

That is, in the second grayscale driving according to the '0100' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells arranged in each display line are light emission generated by the sustain discharge generated through one field display period as shown in FIG. Each is driven at the luminance level corresponding to the period. Specifically,

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at luminance level '8';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at luminance level '5';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at luminance level '2';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at luminance level '7';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at luminance level '4';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at luminance level '1';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at luminance level '6';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display line are at luminance level '3'.

When '0010' pixel drive data GD indicating a luminance level one level higher than the luminance level of the '0100' pixel drive data is supplied, light emission display based on the third grayscale drive is performed. Since the second bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, erase discharges (indicated by double circles) occur in each discharge cell in the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF2. The discharge cell is initialized to the lit mode in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0, and sustain discharge light emission is continuously performed in the sustain step I which is present until the erasure discharge occurs. For example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A, the address step is executed as follows:

The address step W6, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-7) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF2 ₁ ;

The address step W3 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-6) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₂ ;

The address step W8, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-5) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF2 ₃ ;

The address step W5 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-4) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₄ ;

The address step W2 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-3) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₅ ;

The address step W7 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-2) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₆ ;

The address step W4 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-1) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₇ ;

The address step W1 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF2 ₈ .

Thus, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. 7, in the sustain step I of the following subfield, the discharge cells continuously perform sustain discharge:

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and Subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₈ for the (8N-7) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and Subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₅ for the (8N-6) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and Subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₂ for the (8N-5) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₇ for the (8N-4) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and Subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₄ for the (8N-3) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and subfield SF2 ₁ for the (8N-2) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₆ for the (8N-1) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ and subfields SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₃ for the (8N) th display line.

That is, in the third grayscale driving according to the '0010' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells arranged on the respective display lines are emitted by the sustain discharge generated through one field display period as shown in FIG. Each is driven at the luminance level corresponding to the period. Specifically,

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at the luminance level '16';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at the luminance level '13';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at the luminance level '10';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at the luminance level '15';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at the luminance level '12';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at the luminance level '9';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at the luminance level '14';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines are driven to the luminance level '11'.

When '0001' pixel drive data GD indicating a luminance level one level higher than the luminance level of the '0010' pixel drive data is supplied, light emission display based on the fourth gradation drive is performed as described above. Since the third bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, erase discharges (indicated by double circles) occur in each discharge cell in the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF3. The discharge cell is initialized to the lit mode in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0, and sustain discharge light emission is continuously performed in the sustain step I which is present until the erasure discharge occurs. For example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 6A, the address step is executed as follows:

The address step W6, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-7) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF3 ₁ ;

The address step W3 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-6) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₂ ;

The address step W8, which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-5) th display line group, is executed in the subfield SF3 ₃ ;

The address step W5 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-4) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₄ ;

The address step W2 for performing erasure discharge on the (8N-3) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₅ ;

The address step W7 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-2) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₆ ;

The address step W4 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N-1) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₇ ;

The address step W1 which performs erasure discharge on the (8N) th display line group is executed in the subfield SF3 ₈ .

Therefore, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. 7, the discharge cell continuously performs sustain discharge in the sustain step I of the next subfield. Specifically,

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ for the (8N-7) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₅ for the (8N-6) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₂ for the (8N-5) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₇ for the (8N-4) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₄ for the (8N-3) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and subfield SF3 ₁ for the (8N-2) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and Subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₆ for the (8N-1) th display line;

Subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₃ for the (8N) th display line.

That is, in the fourth grayscale driving according to the '0001' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells arranged on each display line are emitted by the sustain discharge generated through one field display period as shown in FIG. Each is driven at the luminance level corresponding to the period. Specifically,

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at the luminance level '24';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at the luminance level '21';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at the luminance level '18';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at the luminance level '23';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at the luminance level '20';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at the luminance level '17';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at the luminance level '22';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines are driven to the luminance level '19'.

When '0000' pixel drive data GD indicating the highest luminance is supplied, light emission display based on the fifth grayscale driving is performed. Since all bits of the pixel drive data GD are logical 0, no erase discharge occurs at all during the one field display period. Therefore, the discharge cells emit light continuously in the sustain step I of the subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ and SF4.

That is, in the fifth grayscale driving according to the '0000' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells are at a luminance level corresponding to the light emission period generated by the sustain discharge occurring through the one field display period as shown in FIG. Each emits light. Specifically,

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at the luminance level '25';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines are driven to the luminance level '25'.

Accordingly, in the above-described driving, the first to fifth grayscale driving, which may exhibit luminance corresponding to five levels, may include five different pixel driving data GDs, that is, '1000', '0100', '0010', It is executed according to '0001' and '0000'. Here, different luminance weights are applied to eight adjacent display lines, and the eight adjacent display lines are driven at different luminance levels determined by respective luminance weights in the first to fifth grayscale driving.

For example, the following luminance weights '1' to '8' are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in the drive according to the light emission drive sequence during the first field shown in Fig. 6A:

(8N-7) th display line: '8';

(8N-6) th display line: '5';

(8N-5) th display line: '2';

(8N-4) th display line: '7';

(8N-3) th display line: '4';

(8N-2) th display line: '1';

(8N-1) th display line: '6'; And

(8N) th display line: '3'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the second field shown in Fig. 6B:

(8N-7) th display line: '4';

(8N-6) th display line: '1';

(8N-5) th display line: '6';

(8N-4) th display line: '3';

(8N-3) th display line: '8';

(8N-2) th display line: '5';

(8N-1) th display line: '2'; And

(8N) th display line: '7'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the third field shown in Fig. 6C:

(8N-7) th display line: '6';

(8N-6) th display line: '3';

(8N-5) th display line: '8';

(8N-4) th display line: '5';

(8N-3) th display line: '2';

(8N-2) th display line: '7';

(8N-1) th display line: '4'; And

(8N) th display line: '1'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the fourth field shown in Fig. 6D:

(8N-7) th display line: '2';

(8N-6) th display line: '7';

(8N-5) th display line: '4';

(8N-4) th display line: '1';

(8N-3) th display line: '6';

(8N-2) th display line: '3';

(8N-1) th display line: '8'; And

(8N) th display line: '5'.

The following luminance weighting is assigned to eight adjacent display lines upon driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the fifth field shown in Fig. 6E:

(8N-7) th display line: '7';

(8N-6) th display line: '4';

(8N-5) th display line: '1';

(8N-4) th display line: '6';

(8N-3) th display line: '3';

(8N-2) th display line: '8';

(8N-1) th display line: '5'; And

(8N) th display line: '2'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the sixth field shown in Fig. 6F:

(8N-7) th display line: '3';

(8N-6) th display line: '8';

(8N-5) th display line: '5';

(8N-4) th display line: '2';

(8N-3) th display line: '7';

(8N-2) th display line: '4';

(8N-1) th display line: '1'; And

(8N) th display line: '6'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the seventh field shown in Fig. 6G:

(8N-7) th display line: '5';

(8N-6) th display line: '2';

(8N-5) th display line: '7';

(8N-4) th display line: '4';

(8N-3) th display line: '1';

(8N-2) th display line: '6';

(8N-1) th display line: '3'; And

(8N) th display line: '8'.

The following luminance weights are assigned to eight adjacent display lines in driving according to the light emission driving sequence during the eighth field shown in Fig. 6H:

(8N-7) th display line: '1';

(8N-6) th display line: '6';

(8N-5) th display line: '3';

(8N-4) th display line: '8';

(8N-3) th display line: '5';

(8N-2) th display line: '2';

(8N-1) th display line: '7'; And

(8N) th display line: '4'.

As indicated by the light emission drive pattern shown in the following figure:

FIG. 7 for driving corresponding to the light emission driving sequence of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8 for driving corresponding to the light emission driving sequence of FIG. 6B;

Fig. 9 for driving corresponding to the light emission drive sequence of Fig. 6C;

Fig. 10 for driving corresponding to the light emission drive sequence of Fig. 6D;

Fig. 11 for driving corresponding to the light emission drive sequence of Fig. 6E;

FIG. 12 for driving corresponding to the light emission driving sequence of FIG. 6F;

FIG. 13 for driving corresponding to the light emission driving sequence of FIG. 6G;

Fig. 14 for driving corresponding to the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 6H;

The discharge cells belonging to the eight adjacent display lines emit light at different luminance levels based on the above weights.

The actual driving operation performed in accordance with the image input signal is described by taking the driving of the first field shown in Fig. 6A as an example.

In the case where the 6-bit pixel data PD corresponding to each column of the discharge cells belonging to the eight adjacent display lines are all '010100', the line dither offset generation circuit 21 displays the display as shown in FIG. The line dither offset value LD shown in Fig. 4A is added to the pixel data PD of the line. As a result of the addition of the above line dither offset value LD, the following line offset addition pixel data LF is obtained for each of the display lines, as shown in FIG. Specifically,

(8N-7) th display line: the value LF is '010100';

(8N-6) th display line: the value LF is '010111';

(8N-5) th display line: the value LF is '011010';

(8N-4) th display line: the value LF is '010101';

(8N-3) th display line: the value LF is '011000';

(8N-2) th display line: the value LF is '011011';

(8N-1) th display line: the value LF is '010110'; And

(8N) th display line: the value LF is '011001'.

The lower bit truncation circuit 23 truncates each lower 3 bits of the line offset addition pixel data LF, thereby obtaining the remaining upper 3 bits of the data as multi-gradation pixel data MD. That is, as shown in Fig. 16, the following multi-gradation pixel data MD is obtained for eight adjacent display lines:

(8N-7) th display line: the data MD is '010';

(8N-6) th display line: the data MD is '010';

(8N-5) th display line: the data MD is '011';

(8N-4) th display line: the data MD is '010';

(8N-3) th display line: the data MD is '011';

(8N-2) th display line: the data MD is '011';

(8N-1) th display line: the data MD is '010'; And

(8N) th display line: the data MD is '011'.

The multi-gradation pixel data MD is converted into 4-bit pixel drive data by the drive data conversion circuit 3. Specifically,

(8N-7) th display line: the data GD is '0010';

(8N-6) th display line: the data GD is '0010';

(8N-5) th display line: the data GD is '0001';

(8N-4) th display line: the data GD is '0010';

(8N-3) th display line: the data GD is '0001';

(8N-2) th display line: the data GD is '0001';

(8N-1) th display line: the data GD is '0010'; And

(8N) th display line: the data GD is '0001'.

Thus, as a result of the light emission drive pattern shown in Fig. 7, the discharge cells belonging to the eight adjacent display lines are driven to emit light at the following luminance levels:

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line: the luminance level '16';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line: the luminance level '13';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line: the luminance level '18';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line: the luminance level '15';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line: the luminance level '20';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line: the luminance level '17';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line: the luminance level '14';

Discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display line: the luminance level '19'.

As a result, the luminance level generated by averaging the luminance levels of the eight display lines is observed.

As described above, the plasma display device shown in FIG. 3 has eight adjacent displays such that different line dither offset values LD are added to the pixel data PD of the display line and different luminance weights are applied to the display line. Each of the lines is driven to emit light. As a result of this driving, so-called line dither processing is executed to generate a luminance difference between adjacent display lines.

In the line dither processing, the bias of the luminance difference between adjacent display lines of the PDP 100 should be substantially uniform. For this reason, the bias is limited to be within the predetermined value in this embodiment. For example, when the '010100' pixel data PD is supplied, the bias of the luminance difference is '2' as shown in FIG. Specifically,

The luminance difference between the (8N-7) th (8N-6) th display line is '3';

The luminance difference between the (8N-6) th (8N-5) th display line is '5';

The luminance difference between the (8N-5) th (8N-4) th display line is '3';

The luminance difference between the (8N-4) th and (8N-3) th display lines is '5';

The luminance difference between the (8N-3) th and (8N-2) th display lines is '3';

The luminance difference between the (8N-2) th and (8N-1) th display lines is '3';

The luminance difference between the (8N-1) th and (8N) th display lines is '5'.

When other pixel data PD is supplied, the bias of the luminance difference between adjacent display lines is less than or equal to '2' in this embodiment.

For example, according to the light emission driving pattern shown in FIG. 7, discharge cells belonging to eight adjacent display lines emit light at luminance levels corresponding to five gray levels as shown in FIG. In the line dither processing used in this embodiment, the line dither offset value LD is added to the pixel data PD so that a predetermined display line is driven by k-th grayscale driving (k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). When driven, the adjacent display lines are driven in k-th grayscale driving or (k + 1) th grayscale driving. Thus, for example, when the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display lines are driven to emit light at the luminance level '16' by the third grayscale driving, the discharges arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines The cell is driven to emit light at the luminance level '13' by the third grayscale driving, or is driven to emit light at the luminance level '21' by the fourth grayscale driving. Therefore, when the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines are driven by the third gradation driving, the luminance difference between the (8N-6) th display lines and the (8N-7) th display lines is '3'. On the other hand, when the discharge cell of the (8N-6) th display line is driven by the fourth gradation driving, the luminance difference between the (8N-6) th display line and the (8N-7) th display line is '5'. The bias of the two luminance differences is thus '2'.

In this way, when the line dither processing is performed, the bias of the luminance difference between adjacent display lines is limited to a predetermined range, so that a high quality dithered image having a smaller luminance bias is represented.

Further, in the line dither processing according to the present embodiment, the first to eighth fields of the image input signal constitute one cycle, and the weight of the line dither processing for each of the eight adjacent display lines is shown in FIG. As is changed for each field.

In other words, the assignment of the following line dither processing to each display line is changed for each field:

First line dither processing for adding a '0' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to a '8' luminance weighting;

Second line dither processing for adding a '1' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to a '7' luminance weighting;

Third line dither processing for adding a '2' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to a '6' luminance weighting;

Fourth line dither processing for adding a '3' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to a '5' luminance weighting;

Fifth line dither processing for adding the '4' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to the '4' luminance weighting;

A sixth line dither process for adding a '5' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to a '3' luminance weighting;

A seventh line dither process for adding the '6' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to the '2' luminance weighting; And

Eighth line dither processing, which adds a '7' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performs light emission driving corresponding to a '1' luminance weighting.

As shown in Fig. 17, in the first field, the first through eighth line dither processes are allocated to the following display lines:

(8N-7) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: third line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: sixth line dither processing.

In the second field, the first through eighth line dither processing is assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: seventh line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: second line dither processing.

In the third field, the first through eighth line dither processing is assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: fifth line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: eighth line dither processing.

In the fourth field, the first through eighth line dither processes are assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: first line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: fourth line dither processing.

In the fifth field, the first through eighth line dither processing is assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: fourth line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: seventh line dither processing.

In the sixth field, the first through eighth line dither processes are assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: eighth line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: third line dither processing.

In the seventh field, the first through eighth line dither processes are assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: second line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: fifth line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: sixth line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: first line dither processing.

In the eighth field, the first through eighth line dither processes are assigned to the display line as follows:

(8N-7) th display line: eighth line dither processing;

(8N-6) th display line: third line dither processing;

(8N-5) th display line: sixth line dither processing;

(8N-4) th display line: first line dither processing;

(8N-3) th display line: fourth line dither processing;

(8N-2) th display line: seventh line dither processing;

(8N-1) th display line: second line dither processing; And

(8N) th display line: fifth line dither processing.

In this embodiment, each line dither process is selectively applied to the upper and lower display of the screen for each field.

For example, in Fig. 17, the fifth line dither processing for adding the '4' line dither offset value LD to the pixel data PD and performing light emission driving corresponding to the '4' luminance weighting is performed in the first field. (8N-3) is assigned to the display line. However, in the second field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-7) th display line located below the (8N-3) th display line of the screen as indicated by the arrow. In the fourth field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-1) th display line located above the (8N-7) th display line as shown by the arrow. In the fourth field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-5) th display line located below the (8N-1) th display line as shown by the arrow. In the fifth field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-6) th display line located above the (8N-5) th display line as shown by the arrow. In the sixth field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-2) th display line located below the (8N-6) th display line as shown by the arrow. In the seventh field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N-4) th display line located above the (8N-2) th display line as shown by the arrow. In the eighth field, the fifth line dither processing is performed on the (8N) th display line located above the (8N-4) th display line as shown by the arrow.

Therefore, while the viewer's gaze is directed to the screen, the viewer of the image displayed on the screen of the PDP 100 is unlikely to stare continuously at the pixels emitting the same luminance. Therefore, good dither display is performed in which pseudo contours are not easily observed.

In the driving as described above, the subfield SF1 carries a low luminance gradation and the subfield SF3 carries a high luminance gradation. The subfields SF1, SF2 and SF3 are further divided into _eight subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₈ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ , for example, as shown in FIG. 6. .

When driving is performed by allocating the light emission period corresponding to the weight of the subfield to the subfields SF1 to SF3, the light emission period assigned to the subfield SF1 with low luminance gradation is short, and thus the subfield SF1 A case can not be divided into eight.

18A to 18H show examples of the light emission drive sequence of the present invention, which is executed with the above point in mind.

That is, the drive control circuit 6 is connected to the column electrode driving circuit 5, the row electrode Y driving circuit 7 and the row electrode X driving circuit 8 in the next field of the image input signal in the following figure According to the light emission driving sequence shown in FIG.

First field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A;

Second field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18B;

Third field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18C;

Fourth field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18D;

Fifth field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18E;

Sixth field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18F;

Seventh field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18G; And

Eighth field: drive sequence shown in Fig. 18H.

In addition, the drive control circuit 6 repeatedly executes a series of driving shown in Figs. 18A to 18H. Each of the column electrode driving circuit 5, the row electrode Y driving circuit 7 and the row electrode X driving circuit 8 is described in accordance with the timing signal supplied by the driving control circuit 6 described below. As described above, various driving pulses (not shown) used to drive the PDP 100 are generated, and the driving pulses are generated by the column electrodes D ₁ to D _m and the row electrodes X ₁ to X _n of the PDP 100. ) And the row electrodes Y ₁ to Y _n .

Further, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Figs. 18A to 18H, each field of the image input signal is divided into five subfields SF0 to SF4.

The head subfield SF0 sequentially executes the reset step R and the address step W0. The reset step R causes all the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m} ) of the PDP 100 to perform reset discharge together, and the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n , m)} ) is initialized to the lighting mode (a state where a small amount of wall charge is formed). In the address step W0, the discharge cells G arranged on the first to nth display lines of the PDP 100 sequentially transition to an unlit mode (a state in which wall charges are erased) one display line at a time. The erase discharge is selectively performed in accordance with the pixel drive data GD shown in FIG. The discharge cells in which no erasure discharge occurs in the address step W0 maintain the state until immediately before the address step W0, that is, the lit mode.

As shown in Figs. 18A to 18H, the subfield SF1 is further divided into four subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , respectively. Similarly, the subfield SF2 is divided into _eight subfields SF2 ₁ through SF2 ₈ , and the subfield SF3 is divided into eight subfields SF3 ₁ through SF3 ₈ . The sustain step I in which only the discharge cells set to the lit mode will discharge light over the period '1', and the address steps W1 to W8 described below are executed in the subfields SF1 to SF3, respectively.

In the address step W1, of all the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m)} formed in the PDP 100, the (8N-7) th display line, that is, the first, ninth, and ninth Only discharge cells arranged on the 17, ..., and (n-7) th display lines selectively perform erasure discharge in accordance with the pixel drive data. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erase discharges occur are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W1. That is, the address step W1 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W2, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines, that is, the second, tenth, 18th, ..., and (n-6) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, the discharge cells which do not occur in the erasing discharge are set to the extinguishing mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge does not occur remain until just before the address step W2. . That is, the address step W2 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W3, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display lines, that is, the third, eleventh, 19th, ..., and (n-5) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge has not occurred remain in the state up to immediately before the address step W3. ) The discharge cells arranged on the display lines are set to the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W4, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines, that is, the fourth, twelfth, twentieth, ..., and (n-4) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge has not occurred maintain the state until immediately before the address step W4. Therefore, the address step W4 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W5, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines, that is, the fifth, thirteenth, twenty-first, ..., and (n-3) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erase discharges occur are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W5. Therefore, the address step W5 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W6, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines, that is, the sixth, 14th, 22nd, ..., and (n-2) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erase discharges occur are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W6. Therefore, the address step W6 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W7, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines, that is, the seventh, fifteenth, 23rd, ..., and (n-1) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Therefore, erase discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge occurs are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erasing discharge has not occurred remain until the state just before the address step W7. Therefore, the address step W7 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W8, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines, that is, the eighth, sixteenth, 24th, ..., and nth display lines selectively erase erase discharges in accordance with the pixel drive data. Will be done. As a result, the discharge cells in which the erase discharges occur are set to the extinguished mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharges do not occur remain in the state until immediately before the address step W8. Therefore, the address step W8 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

Here, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W6 and W3 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W8 and W5 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W2 and W7 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W4 and W1 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18B, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W2 and W7 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W4 and W1 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W6 and W3 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W8 and W5 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18C, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W8 and W5 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W2 and W7 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W4 and W1 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W6 and W3 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18D, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W4 and W1 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W6 and W3 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W8 and W5 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W2 and W7 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18E, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W3 and W8 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W5 and W2 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W7 and W4 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W1 and W6 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18F, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W7 and W4 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W1 and W6 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W3 and W8 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W5 and W2 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18G, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W5 and W2 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W7 and W4 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W1 and W6 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W3 and W8 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18H, the following steps are executed sequentially as follows:

The sustain step I and the address steps W1 and W6 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W3 and W8 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W5 and W2 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address steps W7 and W4 are executed in sequence in the subfield SF1 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W1 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₁ and SF3 ₁ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W6 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₂ and SF3 ₂ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W3 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₃ and SF3 ₃ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W8 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₄ and SF3 ₄ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W5 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₅ and SF3 ₅ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W2 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₆ and SF3 ₆ ;

The sustain step I and the address step W7 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₇ and SF3 ₇ ; And

The sustain step I and the address step W4 are executed in sequence in the subfields SF2 ₈ and SF3 ₈ .

In addition, only the sustain step I in which only the discharge cells set to the lighting mode are discharged continuously in the period '1' is executed in the final subfield SF4.

The drive control circuit 6 performs light emission drive as shown in Figs. 19 to 26 in accordance with the light emission drive sequence shown in Figs. 18A to 18H.

Fig. 19 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18A;

Fig. 20 shows light emission drive pattern based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18B;

Fig. 21 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18C;

Fig. 22 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18D;

Fig. 23 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18E;

Fig. 24 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18F;

Fig. 25 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18G;

Fig. 26 shows light emission drive patterns based on the light emission drive sequence in Fig. 18H;

When the '1000' pixel drive data GD representing the lowest luminance is supplied, light emission display based on the first gradation drive described below is executed. Since the 0th bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, an erasure discharge (indicated by a black circle) occurs in the discharge cell of the address step W0 of the subfield SF0, and the discharge cell is in the unlit mode. Make a transition. In the driving operation shown in Figs. 18A to 18H, the opportunity to make the transition from the unlit mode to the lit mode in the discharge cell in one field display period occurs only in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0. Therefore, the discharge cells which have made the transition to the unlit mode remain unlit through one field display period.

In other words, in the first gradation driving according to the '1000' pixel driving data GD, each discharge cell remains off through one field display period, so that driving at the luminance level 0 is shown in FIG. Is done.

Next, when the pixel drive data GD '0100' indicating the luminance level one level higher than the pixel drive data '1000' is supplied, the light emission display based on the second grayscale driving is performed as described above. Since the first bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, the erasure discharge (indicated by the double circle) occurs in the discharge cells of the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF1. The discharge cells are initialized to the lighting mode of the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0, and sustain discharge light emission is continuously performed in the sustain step I existing until the erasure discharge occurs. Thus, for example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A, the discharge cells of the display line are continuously sustained in the sustain step I in each of the following subfields, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. Do:

(8N-7) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ ;

(8N-6) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₃ ;

(8N-5) th display line: subfield SF1 ₁ ;

(8N-4) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ ;

(8N-3) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₂ ;

(8N-2) th display line: subfield SF1 ₁ ;

(8N-1) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₃ ;

(8N) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₂ .

That is, in the second grayscale driving according to the '0100' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells arranged on each display line emit light at a luminance level corresponding to the period of light emission generated by the sustain discharge occurring during one field display period. To be driven respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27,

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at the luminance level '4';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at the luminance level '3';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at the luminance level '1';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at the luminance level '4';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at the luminance level '2';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at the luminance level '1';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at the luminance level '3';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines are driven to the luminance level '2'.

When the pixel drive data GD '0010' indicating the luminance one level higher than the pixel drive data '0100' is supplied, the light emission display based on the third grayscale driving is performed as described above. Since the second bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, an erasure discharge (indicated by a double circle) occurs in the discharge cells in the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF2. The discharge cells are initialized in the lighting mode of the reset step R in the leading subfield SF0, and sustain discharge light emission is performed in the sustain step I which exists until the erasure discharge occurs. For example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. 19, the discharge cells of the display lines perform sustain discharge in sustain step I of each of the following subfields:

(8N-7) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₈ ;

(8N-6) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₅ ;

(8N-5) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₂ ;

(8N-4) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₇ ;

(8N-3) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₄ ;

(8N-2) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ ;

(8N-1) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₆ ;

(8N) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₃ .

Therefore, in the third grayscale driving according to the '0010' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells arranged on each display line are each at a luminance level corresponding to the light emission period generated by the sustain discharge occurring during the one field display period. Driven, i.e., as shown in FIG.

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at the luminance level '12';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at the luminance level '9';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at the luminance level '6';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at the luminance level '11';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at the luminance level '8';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at the luminance level '5';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at the luminance level '10';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines are driven to the luminance level '7'.

When '0001' pixel drive data GD indicating luminance one level higher than '0010' pixel drive data is supplied, light emission display based on the fourth grayscale driving is performed as described below. Since the third bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, an erasure discharge (indicated by a double circle) occurs in each discharge cell of the address steps W1 to W8 of the subfield SF3. The discharge cell is initialized to the lighting mode of the reset step R of the leading subfield SF0, and then sustain discharge light emission is continuously performed in the sustain step I which is present until the erasure discharge occurs. For example, in the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 18A, as indicated by the white and double circles in Fig. 19, the discharge cells of the display lines perform sustain discharge in sustain step I of each of the following subfields:

(8N-7) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ ;

(8N-6) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₅ ;

(8N-5) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₂ ;

(8N-4) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₇ ;

(8N-3) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₄ ;

(8N-2) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ ;

(8N-1) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₆ ;

(8N) th display line: subfields SF1 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₃ .

Accordingly, in the fourth grayscale driving according to the '0001' pixel driving data GD, each of the discharge cells emits light at a luminance level corresponding to the light emission period generated by the sustain discharge occurring through one field display period, that is, FIG. As shown in 27:

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display line are at luminance level '20';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display line are at luminance level '17';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display line are at luminance level '14';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display line are at luminance level '19';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display line are at luminance level '16';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display line are at luminance level '13';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display line are at luminance level '18';

The discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display line are at luminance level '15'.

When '0000' pixel drive data GD indicating the highest luminance is supplied, light emission display based on the fifth grayscale driving is performed as described below. Since all the bits of the pixel drive data GD are at logic level 0, erase discharge does not occur at all during one field display period. Therefore, the discharge cells emit light continuously in the sustain step I of the subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 ₈ , SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ and SF4.

Accordingly, in the fifth grayscale driving according to the '0000' pixel driving data GD, the discharge cells emit light at luminance levels corresponding to the light emission periods generated by the sustain discharges generated through the one field display period. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 27, all of the discharge cells arranged on each display line emit light at the luminance level '21'.

In the line dither processing of this embodiment, the line dither offset value LD is added to the pixel data PD. Therefore, when a predetermined display line is driven by k-th grayscale driving (k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), adjacent display lines are driven by k-th grayscale driving or (k + 1) th grayscale driving. As shown in Fig. 27, when the upper display line of the group of adjacent display lines is driven by the third gradation driving, the lower display line is driven by the third or fourth gradation driving, and the luminance difference therebetween is' 3 'or' 5 '. When the upper display line is driven by the second grayscale driving, the lower display line is driven by the second or third grayscale driving so that the luminance difference is '1', '2', '3' or '5'. Therefore, by setting the luminance difference '3' as a reference, the bias is ± '2' or less. Therefore, high quality line dither display can be performed in which the luminance difference between all adjacent display lines of the PDP 100 is substantially uniform.

As described above, in the driving shown in Figs. 18A to 18H, since the L (two) address steps W are executed continuously each time one sustain step I is executed, the subfields with low luminance gradation The division number 4 of the SF1 is smaller than the division number 8 of the other subfields. In addition, the execution order of the address steps executed in the subfield SF1 with low luminance gradation is the same as in the case of other subfields.

Therefore, according to the above driving, even if the period allocated to the subfield with low luminance gradation is shorter than other subfields, the high-quality line dither display in which the luminance difference between all adjacent display lines of the PDP 100 is substantially uniform is It can be done similarly to the driving shown in Figs. 6A to 6H.

In this embodiment, in order to set each of the discharge cells to the lit mode or the unlit mode according to the pixel data, all the discharge cells are preset to the lit mode and the discharge cells are then selectively transitioned to the unlit mode according to the pixel data. So-called selective erasing addressing is adopted.

However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where all the discharge cells are preset in the extinguished mode and the so-called selective write addressing is adopted in which the discharge cells then selectively perform the transition to the lit mode in accordance with the pixel data.

Fig. 28 shows the light emission drive sequence used when driving in the first field as shown in Fig. 18A by adopting selective write addressing. Fig. 29 shows light emission drive patterns performed based on the light emission drive sequence shown in Figs. 18E to 18H.

When selective write addressing is adopted, the drive data conversion circuit 3 shown in Fig. 3 converts the multi-gradation pixel data MD into 4-bit pixel drive data GD according to the data conversion table shown in Fig. 29. . The drive control circuit 6 performs light emission drive control based on the light emission drive sequence as shown in Fig. 28 in the initial first field, in accordance with the pixel drive data GD.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 28, the reset step R, the address step W0 and the sustain step I are executed in sequence in the leading subfield SF4. The reset step R shown in Fig. 28 causes all the discharge cells G _{(1, 1)} to G _{(n, m} ) of the PDP 100 to perform reset discharge together, and the discharge cells G _{(1, 1)} Initialize ~ G _{(n, m)} to the extinguished mode (the state of no wall charge). In the address step W0, the discharge cells G arranged on the first to nth display lines of the PDP 100 are one display line at a time in order to make a transition to the lighting mode (the state in which wall charges are formed). Sequentially, write discharge is selectively performed according to the pixel drive data GD as shown in FIG. In addition, the discharge cells in which no write discharge occurs in the address step W0 maintain the state until immediately before the address step W0, that is, in the unlit mode. Only the discharge cells set to the lit mode will discharge light continuously in the sustain step I through the period '1'.

After the execution of the subfield SF4, the subfields SF3 ₁ to SF3 ₈ , SF2 ₁ to SF2 _8, and SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ are sequentially executed. The address steps W1 to W8 are executed in the subfields SF3 to SF1 as follows.

In the address step W1, of all the discharge cells G _(1,1) to G _{(n, m)} formed in the PDP 100, the (8N-7) th display line, that is, the first, ninth, and ninth Only discharge cells arranged on the 17, ..., and (n-7) th display lines selectively perform write discharge in accordance with the pixel drive data. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W1. Therefore, the address step W1 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-7) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W4, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines, that is, the fourth, twelfth, twentieth, ..., and (n-4) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Accordingly, address discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set in the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W4. Therefore, the address step W4 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-4) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W7, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines, that is, the seventh, fifteenth, 23rd, ..., and (n-1) th display lines, according to the pixel drive data. Write discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W7. Therefore, the address step W7 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-1) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W2, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines, i.e., the second, tenth, 18th, ..., and (n-6) th display lines according to the pixel drive data. Write discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells that do not occur in the write discharge maintain the state up to immediately before the address step W2. Therefore, the address step W2 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-6) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W5, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines, that is, the fifth, thirteenth, twenty-first, ..., and (n-3) th display lines are applied to the pixel drive data. Accordingly, address discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W5. Therefore, the address step W5 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-3) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W8, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines, i.e., the eighth, sixteenth, 24th, ..., and nth display lines are allowed to selectively perform write discharge in accordance with the pixel drive data. do. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W8. Therefore, the address step W8 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W3, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display lines, that is, the third, eleventh, 19th, ..., and (n-5) th display lines, are applied to the pixel drive data. Accordingly, address discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set in the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the erase discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W3. Therefore, the address step W3 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-5) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the address step W6, only the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines, that is, the sixth, 14th, 22nd, ..., and (n-2) th display lines, according to the pixel drive data. Write discharge is selectively performed. As a result, the discharge cells in which the write discharges occur are set to the lit mode, and the discharge cells in which the write discharges do not occur remain until just before the address step W6. Therefore, the address step W6 sets the discharge cells arranged on the (8N-2) th display lines to either the unlit or lit mode in accordance with the pixel drive data.

In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 28, the following steps are executed in the following subfields:

The address step W1 in the subfields SF3 ₁ and SF2 ₁ ;

The address step W4 in the subfields SF3 ₂ and SF2 ₂ ;

The address step W7 in the subfields SF3 ₃ and SF2 ₃ ;

Address step W2 in the subfields SF3 ₄ and SF2 ₄ ;

The address step W5 in the subfields SF3 ₅ and SF2 ₅ ;

The address step W8 in the subfields SF3 ₆ and SF2 ₆ ;

Address step W3 in the subfields SF3 ₇ and SF2 ₇ ;

The address step W6 in the subfields SF3 ₈ and SF2 ₈ , and the following steps are executed sequentially in the following subfields:

Address steps W1 and W4 in the subfield SF1 ₁ ;

Address steps W7 and W2 in the subfield SF1 ₂ ;

Address steps W5 and W8 in the subfield SF1 ₃ ; And

Address steps W3 and W6 in the subfield SF1 ₄ .

The sustain step I in which only the discharge cells in the lit mode emit light by performing sustain discharge continuously during the light emission period '1' is executed directly after the address steps W1 to W8.

Whether or not the write discharge should occur in the address steps W1 to W8 of each subfield SF1 to SF4 is determined by the bits of the pixel drive data GD shown in FIG. Specifically, the generation of the write discharge in the subfield SF4 is determined by the zeroth bit of the pixel drive data GD, and the generation of the write discharge in the subfield SF3 is determined by the zeroth of the pixel drive data GD. Determined by one bit, the generation of the write discharge in the subfield SF2 is determined by the second bit of the pixel drive data GD, and the generation of the write discharge in the subfield SF1 is determined by the pixel drive data ( Is determined by the third bit of GD). That is, only when the bit of the pixel drive data GD is logic level 1, the write discharge occurs in the discharge cell in the address step W of the subfield corresponding to the bit and in the radiation cell set to the lighting mode. In the light emission drive sequence shown in Fig. 28, the opportunity to move the discharge cells from the lit mode to the unlit mode during one field display period occurs only in the reset step R of the leading subfield SF4. Thus, as shown in Fig. 29, the initial write discharge (indicated by the double circle) occurs in the discharge cell within one field display period, and once set to the lit mode, the state is maintained until the last subfield SF1 ₄ . Then, sustain discharge (indicated by a white circle) is continuously performed in the sustain step I existing at the interval.

In the driving shown in Figs. 18A to 18H and 28, an example in which the subfield SF1 is divided into four lower subfields SF1 ₁ to SF1 ₄ is shown, but the number of divisions of the subfield SF1 is It is not limited to four.

For example, the subfield SF1 is:

Into seven as shown in Fig. 30A;

Into six as shown in Fig. 30B;

Into five as shown in Fig. 30C;

In three as shown in Fig. 30D; And

It can be divided into two as shown in Fig. 30E.

This application is Japanese patent application No. Based on 2003-190284, the entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

According to the present invention, there is an effect of providing a display panel driving method capable of forming a good image display in which a dither pattern is suppressed.

Claims (4)

The display panel includes a plurality of display lines in which a plurality of pixel cells used as pixels are disposed, respectively, and a display period of one field of an image signal is divided into a plurality of subfields according to pixel data derived from the image signal. As a method of driving the gray scale of the display panel, Dividing one of the plurality of subfields into M lower subfields (M is an integer greater than 1); Forming M group display lines by sequentially taking M display lines from the plurality of display lines of the display panel; In the M lower subfields, sequentially and sequentially performing first to Mth address steps for setting pixel cells belonging to display lines of the display line group associated with each other to a driving mode determined by pixel data; Performing a first light emission step such that a pixel cell whose drive mode is a lit mode emits light immediately before or immediately after the associated address step; Dividing another one of the plurality of subfields into N lower subfields (N is less than M); Forming N address step groups from first to Mth address steps, wherein each address step group includes one or more address steps, and at least one of the N address step groups is a plurality of address steps Including; Performing the N address step groups respectively and sequentially in the N lower subfields; And And performing a second light emitting step such that the pixel cells whose driving mode is a lighting mode emit light immediately before or immediately after the associated address step group. The display panel driving method of claim 1, wherein the execution order of the first to Mth address steps in the N lower subfields is the same as the execution order of the first to Mth address steps of the M lower subfields. The display panel driving method according to claim 1, wherein the reset step of initializing all of the pixel cells in the lit mode is performed in the first subfield of the plurality of subfields. The display panel driving method according to claim 1, wherein the display panel is a plasma display panel, and only pixel cells in the lighting mode repeatedly perform sustain discharge in each of the first and second light emitting steps.